Implantable fluid delivery apparatus with micro-valve

• US 9,498,608 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2014
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Original Assignee: MED-EL Elektromedizinische Gerate GmbH (MED-EL Corporation)
• Inventors: Jolly, Claude, Hochmair, Ingeborg
• Primary Examiner(s): Moran, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAREY, MICHAEL JAMES
• Application Number:
  US14/507,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20150025509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 600/379, 623/10, 606/109, 607/137
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 11/00 Methods or devices for treatment of the ears or hearing sense implantable prostheses that substitute or replace internal ear parts, e.g. ear-drums, A61F2/18; methods or devices to cause a change in the state of auditory consciousness A61M21/00; electrotherapy applying electrical stimulation of the auditory system, or circuits therefor A61N1/36; radiotherapy using optical stimulation of the auditory system A61N5/06; electro-acoustic hearing aids H04R25/00; Non-electric hearing aids; Methods or devices for enabling ear patients to achieve auditory perception through physiological senses other than hearing sense; Protective devices for the ears, carried on the body or in the hand headwear, e.g. caps or helmets, with means for protecting the ears A42B1/0188, A42B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/0241 having means for filtering
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/025 through bones or teeth, e.g. through the skull
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2039/1072 with a septum present in the connector
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/04 implanted
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/7518 bacterial
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0662 Ears
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0668 Middle ear
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/007 Side holes, e.g. their profiles or arrangements; Provisions to keep side holes unblocked
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 25/0105 Steering means as part of the catheter or advancing means; Markers for positioning systems for detection of markers A61B
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 31/002 Devices for releasing a drug at a continuous and controlled rate for a prolonged period of time artificial gland structures or devices A61F2/022; intra-uterine contraceptive devices A61F6/14; tampons for introducing into the vagina A61F13/20, A61L15/00; suppositories or bougies for intra-vaginal or intra-uterine application A61K9/02; physical forms of medicinal preparations for sustained or differential drug release A61K9/20, A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 39/0247 Semi-permanent or permanent transcutaneous or percutaneous access sites to the inside of the body peritoneal dialysis catheters A61M1/285; tracheostomy devices A61M16/0465; measuring pressure within the body A61B5/03; colostomy devices A61F5/445; gastrotomy feeding tubes A61J15/0015; means for fixing a feeding tube outside of the body A61J15/0053
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14276 specially adapted for implantation
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/1454 spring-actuated, e.g. by a clockwork
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/16813 by controlling the degree of opening of the flow line
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/0541 Cochlear electrodes

Abstract

A fluid delivery system includes an implantable fluid source, a first catheter in fluid communication with the implantable fluid source, and an implantable micro-valve in fluid communication with the first catheter, the micro-valve configured to be located within a round window or to be secured to a promontory bone of a cochlea.

Claims

1. A fluid delivery system comprising:

a fluid source configured to be implanted within a subject;

a first catheter in fluid communication with the fluid source;

a micro-valve, in fluid communication with the first catheter, having an inner ear side and a middle ear side that extends from an inner ear to a middle ear of the subject, the micro-valve providing a sealable fluid path through a round window or through a promontory bone of a cochlea that enables fluid flow through the micro-valve and into the inner ear; and

a fixation device configured to secure the micro-valve to the round window or promontory bone.

2. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid source includes a reservoir.

3. The fluid delivery system according to claim 2, wherein the reservoir is refillable.

4. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid source includes a pump.

5. The fluid delivery system according to claim 4, wherein the pump is an osmotic pump.

6. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a second catheter in fluid communication with the micro-valve.

7. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the micro-valve includes a magnet.

8. The fluid delivery system according to claim 7, further comprising a magnetic control system configured to control the magnet by magnetic forces in order to close the micro-valve.

9. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the micro-valve is self-closing.

10. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch, in communication with the fluid source, for stopping fluid flow through the fluid delivery system.

11. The fluid delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the switch is activated by magnetic forces.

12. The fluid delivery system according to claim 10, wherein the switch is activated by fluid pressure.

13. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode in communication with the fluid source.

14. The fluid delivery system according to claim 13, wherein the electrode is part of a cochlear implant.

15. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, further comprising an electrode in communication with the first catheter.

16. The fluid delivery system according to claim 15, wherein the electrode is part of a cochlear implant.

17. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the fluid source is a removable canister connected directly to the micro-valve on the middle ear side.

18. The fluid delivery system according to claim 17, further comprising a switch, in communication with the fluid source, for stopping fluid flow through the fluid delivery system.

19. The fluid delivery system according to claim 1, wherein the micro-valve includes a sphere attached to a spring on the inner ear side of the micro-valve, the sphere configured to contact the first catheter in order to stop fluid flow through the micro-valve.